A bibliography is a list of the sources you have discovered during the research process, which you specifically intend to use in your final essay. An annotation is the summary, assessment and reflection of the intended use associated with a specific source of research. It is called an annotated bibliography because the sources are arranged according to the standards of an MLA bibliography. Each source is then followed by an annotated paragraph which includes the following:
- Summarize: What are the main arguments? What is the point of this book or article? What topics are covered? If someone asked what this article/book is about, what would you say? The length of your annotations will determine how detailed your summary is.
- Assess: Is it a useful source? How does it compare with other sources in your bibliography? Is the information reliable? Is this source biased or objective? What is the goal of this source?
- Reflect: Was this source helpful to you? How does it help you shape your argument? How can you use this source in your research project? Has it changed how you think about your topic?
You will create your annotated bibliography using the EasyBib Google App. The Annotated Bibliography should consist of at least ten research materials; however, three of those sources may come from in class texts such as Prose, Emerson, and Baldwin.
You should begin your research by consulting the District’s Student Research Resources page. Next, you should consult ERIC: Education Resource Information Center at http://www.eric.ed.gov. Finally, you can investigate Google Scholar, the high school library, and the public library. Please note, you may use chapters out of a book but you must document it as such. Do not record the entire book as a source.
Introduction
Your introduction does not need to be more than a page in length. It should follow standard MLA format (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margin).
Give a brief description of the debates or issues that are relevant to the topic you are researching. This will indicate your research focus and give your reader insight into the type of synthesis essay you intend to write.
Conclusion
Your conclusion does not need to be more than a page in length. It should follow standard MLA format (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margin).
You conclusion should indicate what you have learned from the research experience. It should indicate the stance you intend on taking in your synthesis essay. In other words, think about the information you received during the research process. How did this information change your mind about your topic? What did you learn that you didn’t know before? How has this information persuaded or altered your argument?
